Jaune and Courage the Cowardly Dog
Chap 66: Everybody wants to Direct
"I'm going to need to have a talk with this Di Lung." Winter growled out through clenched teeth while also cracking her knuckles.
'I have a feeling that he would continue being an ass.' Courage said fighting through a yawn as it was later.
"No doubt about that." I agreed. It was a few days since we all got turned into flies.
Luckily, the day after we changed back to normal. A few hours after that Summer came by to pick up Ruby saying there was a family meeting that she was needed to be present for. And an hour after that, Winter came by worried. Apparently, she has been messaging Weiss throughout the entire day and grew increasingly worried when she didn't respond. So, she rushed over here as quickly as she could. She was relieved to find out that Weiss was okay but quickly became angry at Di Lung when we told her what happened.
*Knock Knock*
'OH!' Courage shouted in fear.
"Are you expecting anyone?" Winter asked.
"No." I answered curious as to who could be knocking at this hour.
"I wonder who could that be?" Muriel asked getting up. Worried and concerned, the rest of us got up and went over as well. Opening the door, we saw what we can only describe as a zombie standing on the porch.
"Hello." It greeted us.
"Hello." Muriel greeted with a smile.
"Who the heck are you?" Eustace demanded
"I already don't trust this." Weiss whispered to us which we nodded in agreement.
"I'm Benton Tarentella." The zombie introduced himself.
"Who?" I asked.
"Benton Tarentella." He repeated himself. Only to earn the sound of cricket's chirping in the distance. "The famous independent movie director."
"Oh, Eustace. He's a famous movie director." Muriel said excitedly.
"Never heard of him." Eustace said annoyed.
"Have either of you heard of him?" I asked.
"The name rings a bell but I can't quite place it." Winter answered while Weiss shook her head.
"I knew I saw your face before. You've been on television, haven't you?" Muriel asked.
"Well, yes." Benton answered.
"I knew it. I just knew it. He's famous Eustace." Muriel said excitedly.
"Big deal." Eustace said not caring before turning to Benton. "What do you want?"
"I'll explain." He answered before turning to Muriel. "May I?"
"Oh, yes. Come in Mr. Tarentella. Come in." Muriel said allowing him in.
'Hmm.' Courage hummed suspiciously.
"Is there a place where we can discuss my proposal?" Benton asked.
"Oh, yes. The kitchen." Muriel answered before guiding him to the kitchen with Eustace following behind. Not trusting this, we followed as well. Entering the kitchen, Muriel, Eustace and Benton sat down at the table while we stood next to them. Our eyes never leaving Benton.
"Why are you here?" Winter asked.
"I was driving by, scouting locations for my for my latest blockbuster." He answered while making his hands look like a camera screen.
"Oh, scouting locations. That sounds so fancy." Muriel said.
"So what?" Eustace asked.
"This is my next opus: The return of the zombies from beneath the farm." Benton answered while showing a script.
"OOH! A real movie script Eustace." Muriel said excitedly.
"And?" Eustace asked getting impatient.
"I want to make my movie here... on your farm. In this house." Benton answered.
"Oh, my." Muriel gasped.
"What's the catch?" Weiss asked.
"There is no catch. Just help me film." He answered. Which just raised more red flags for us.
"We ain't interested." Eustace said not caring.
"We'll pay tons of cash." Benton said while pulling out a contract which Eustace quickly snatched when he heard the word cash.
"You said we. Who are the others?" I asked.
"Me and my partner. He'll be here soon." Benton answered.
"Okay. We're interested." Eustace said excited.
"Excellent." Benton said getting up. "Now if you will both sign down there on the x."
'AAAHHH!' Courage screamed when Benton's glasses fell of his face. Revealing that he had on eye missing and the nose was a fake.
"Gross." Winter and Weiss said at the squelching sound that occurred when Benton put his glasses back on.
'Zombie.' Courage said while pulling on Muriel's clothes before transforming into a zombie himself to try and warn him.
"What is it Courage?" She asked.
"Muriel. Has anyone ever told you that you should be in picture?" Benton asked her as it was clear that he knew we were on to him.
"Oh, my goodness no." Muriel answered blushing.
"Here's your contract. When do we get paid?" Eustace asked.
"Right after we shoot the movie. And we start shooting tonight." Benton answered.
'OOOH!'Courage said shivering at what's to come.
"Tonight?" Muriel asked.
"Oh, yes." Benton answered.
"Isn't this exciting?" Muriel asked turning to Eustace.
"May I see your basement?" Benton asked.
"Of course." Muriel said before getting up along with Eustace. They then left the kitchen and head to the basement.
"Let's see that contract." Winter said as she went over to the table and picked it up.
"I can safely say we are all on the same page that the director is a zombie." Weiss said.
"Pretty much. I can also say that it's safe to say that anything fictional can happen in Nowhere." I answered.
"I knew it." Winter said getting our attention.
"Did you find a loophole Winter?" Weiss asked.
"No. I found nothing. This entire contract is literally just random words that sound like they might be used in a film studio." She answered.
"So, Eustace didn't even bother trying to read the contract as he was too distracted by the money. As usual." I said annoyed.
"Can he even read?" Weiss asked.
"I doubt he can to be honest." I answered.
'Well, we best get down there now. Who knows what Benton is doing?' Courage reminded us.
"Right. Let's go." I said as we quickly exited the kitchen and head to the basement where we saw Benton looking around the entire place as if he as a real director.
"Yes. This is great. Great." Benton said sounding excited. "We'll do the zombie resurrection scene here. This is a great angle. I love it. We can do a tracking shot over here and then rack focus."
"Eustace. This place is a mess. We should really straighten up for the movie." Muriel told him.
"Right." He said before picking up a broom and began to sweep the floor while Muriel cleaned the furnace.
Turning to Benton, we walked over to him as he kept examining angles on where to start filming for the movie. But as we neared him, his hand fell to the ground. Courage screamed at this in terror while Benton picked it up and put it back on his arm. This caused Courage to run off in fright.
"Mr. Tarentella." Winter began but was cut off.
"Please. Call me Benton." He said.
"Benton. What other movies have you made?" Winter asked annoyed at being cut off.
"Oh, various other movies." He answered.
"Can you name some?" I asked.
"Oh, um... let's see." He began stuttering before looking past us. "Be right back. Must take care of something,"
"Okay. He's a fake director and a zombie. But now comes the question as to why he is doing this." I said as we saw Benton sweet talk Muriel while pushed Courage away with his foot. He then began to tell Muriel about how she's perfect for his movie. But what really caught our attention was when he talked about Muriel playing the part of a sacrifice.
"What's my role?" Eustace asked.
"Your role is digging the zombie's tomb." Benton answered while handing him a shovel.
"Now you're talking." Eustace said excitedly as he took the shovel.
'Don't do it. He's a zombie.' Courage warned as he grabbed onto the shovel.
"GET AWAY FROM ME! This is my role." Eustace shouted before taking the shovel away from Courage.
"At what time is the zombie resurrection being filmed?" Winter asked.
"Soon. When Mars lines up with the moon and both are directly above us." Benton answered smugly before letting out a laugh.
"We don't have much time then." I said as we left the basement and headed to my room. Getting there, we turned on the computer.
"Alright. Let's see if we can get something on this guy." Weiss said as Courage typed Benton Tarentella.
"Let me send a request to Atlas to see if they have any information on him as well." Winter said as she sent a message using her scroll. As soon as she finished, the computer brought up the answers.
'Sorry. No record of Benton Tarentella in the independent film database or in any film listing.' The computer told us. 'Hey, want to sing a song I know?'
"Just keep checking." I said as Courage retype in the search request but broader this time instead of just the film database.
'Found something.' The computer said after a moment before bringing up what appears to be a news article about some killings.
"Amateur filmmakers slay twelve." Weiss said reading the article.
'Oh, no.' Courage gasped in terror.
"Benton Tarentella and Errol Van Volkheim pose as film directors to lure unsuspecting victims to their fate." I continued to read the article.
"Tarentella and Van Volkheim Jailed. However, Van Volkeim seem to have been released from jail for good behavior while Tarentella dies in prison." Winter continued.
'I knew it. Tarentella is a zombie.' Courage said.
"Olay. So, we now cand one hundred percent confirm that Tarentella is a zombie. But we need to know where Van Volkheim is located." I said as Courage typed it in.
'He's dead. And he's buried in a cemetery.' The computer answered.
"That's good." Weiss said relieved. And as is to spite us, the computer continued.
'That this house was built over.' It finished.
"Not good." I said feeling a shiver go up my spine.
"But how do we stop them?" I asked.
'I don't know. You're all on your own kids.' The computer answered.
"He really gets on my nerves." Winter said as she turned the computer off. At this, her scroll ringed.
"What is it?" Weiss asked as Winter answered it.
"We do have records on Tarentella and Von Volkheim. Apparently, there was a case long ago about them killing a couple of officials of Atlas and Mistral. But they long since disappeared and were presumes dead. And because of that, the case went cold before being closed." She answered.
"Well, they do get around. But we still need to stop them." I said as she put away her scroll.
"And we don't have too much time as the planets seem to be aligning." Weiss said pointing out the window.
"Shit. Come on." I said as we rushed out of my room.
Heading downstairs, we saw Muriel and Eustace still cleaning. Seeing that everyone was distracted, we quickly looked around and saw that not only was the tomb was almost finished. Seeing the script nearby, we went over to and began to read it. And what we read sent a shiver down our spins as it was basically proving right on what we just read. That Tarentella was going to revive his dead partner and then eat Muriel alive.
'OOH!' Courage screamed before running over to Muriel who was now tied down on a table.
"You're just in time doggie. I have a great role for you." Tarentella said grabbing Courage's arm. "You'll play the dog locked up in the trunk. Eustace?"
"Stupid overacting dog. And quit stealing my scenes." Eustace shouted as he grabbed Courage and threw him into a trunk.
'AAAHHHHH!' Courage screamed from the trunk.
"That's very good Courage. I didn't know you could act." Muriel said not seeing the danger she was in.
"We know what you are really after." Weiss said as she and Winter took out their weapons.
"Do you? Well, it's too late. The light is perfect and soon its time." He said while rubbing his hands together.
"Now what do I do?" Eustace cut in walking towards us. Giving Tarentella an excuse to leave.
"Why, you're the camera man." He answered. "All you have to do is run the camera."
"Do I get paid extra?" Eustace asked.
"Tons." Tarentella answered while.
"Hey. Look." Winter said while pointing to the trunk that Courage was in. At first, we were confused by what she meant aside from getting Courage out of there, but got our answer when Courage lifted the trunk and move closer and closer to the table that held the script.
"Oh, I get it," I said realizing what Courage was planning.
"LOOK!" Weiss shouted getting our attention. Looking to where she was pointing, we saw a strange light enter the basement before stopping where Eustace dug the grave.
"What's going on?" Winter asked before having her eyes widen in shock when a corpse climbed out of the whole.
"Great effects." Eustace said not knowing this was real.
"I wish this was only effects." Weiss said suppressing a shiver of fear at seeing a resurrected zombie.
'Hurry Courage.' I thought as the zombie partners went up to each other.
"Benton." Von Volkheim said placing his hands on Benton's shoulders.
"Errol." Benton said doing the same before turning Errol to show him Muriel. "Let's set up for the next shop."
"Ja. I'm starving." Errol said as some drool came from his mouth.
"Eustace. This next scene features Mr. Von Volkheim and myself as newly risen zombies about to devour Muriel." Benton told Eustace. "I'm going to promote you to director."
"What's the pay?" He asked.
"Tons." Benton answered.
"Deal." Eustace said before heading over to the camera while the zombie went over to Muriel.
"Jaune. Should we or should we not attack?" Winter asked as she and Weiss readied their weapons and pointed them at the zombies. Luckily, as she asked this, Courage finished and placed the script back to where it was.
"Let's try Courage's plan a chance." I answered.
"Okay. Is everyone ready?" Eustace asked.
"Yes. Yes. We know what to do." Benton answered.
"Let's roll it." Von Volkheim added impatiently as even more drool came out of his mouth.
"WAIT! WAIT!" Eustace shouted.
"What?" Benton asked.
"WHAT?" Errol asked irritated.
"Move over. I can't see Muriel's face." He answered. Annoyed, Benton mover over a bit.
"Can we start now?" Benton asked.
"How should I know?" Eustace asked.
"Check the script." Benton answered.
"Here it goes." Winter said as Eustace walked over to grab the script.
"Let's hope Courage is as talented in script writing as he is with many other things." Weiss added.
'I hope so.' I thought as Eustace began flipping through the script.
"Here's a scene. The big zombie lets the dog out of the box." Eustace said reading the script.
"What?" Benton asked confused before walking over to Eustace.
"That's what is says." He answered.
"Let me see that. I don't remember. Well, if it's in the script. Okay." Benton said before freeing Courage.
'YES!' Courage cheered before making his way over to us.
"You okay Courage?" I asked which he nodded.
"Now what?" Benton asked.
"It says that the zombies go back in the hole and the dog, kids and his friends bury them." Eustace answered.
"What? This is not my work. This is not my work." Benton said confused while grabbing the script from Eustace.
"I can't believe it. You are such a lousy writer. You have always been a lousy writer." Von Volkheim said sounding disappointed.
"It's not my work." Benton said sounding like he was about to have a breakdown.
"I come all this way just for you to write me back in the grave. That's it. Our partnership is kaput. Once and for all." Von Volkheim said while going back into the tomb. "I never want to work with you again."
"Ah, who wants to work with a hack like you anyways." Benton said as he entered the hole as well.
'Help me with this.' Courage said while running to the shovel. Nodding, we went over and quickly filled the hole back up with dirt.
"Stand back." Winter said before she used some dust to further make sure the zombies would not come back.
"I never saw that ending coming." Eustace said sounding surprised.
"Isn't this exciting?" Muriel asked as we untied her from the table.
"Yeah. Exciting." I said tired.
Half an Hour Later
"Okay. I just check and the planets won't align for at least another century." Winter said while closing her scroll.
"That's good." Weiss said as we continued to watch the film of everything that just happened.
"When am I getting paid?" Eustace asked as he read over the contract. We all just rolled our eyes at him.
'I wonder if he'll ever figure out that the whole thing was a fake.' I wondered as I texted Saphron to remind her to get ready for the vacation that's coming up soon.
"You four stole the whole movie." Muriel said smiling.
'I'm ready for my close up.' Courage said while putting on Tarentella's glasses. Only for them to shatter a moment later for some reason. 'Ouch! Not that close.'
Note:
(1) Klub Katz with Saphron, Terra and Adrian. (2) Ball of Revenge with Team Rwby, Team Npr and Iris.